Growing up in Greenwich during "the greatest time"

Anne W. Semmes

Published 4:59 pm, Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Photo: Anne W. Semmes

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

Former advertising and marketing exec Stephan Gospodinoff, 84, has lived in Greenwich most of his life. "When I was a boy we had a lot of open space," he says. "We used to go hunting, fishing, trapping, and swimming and ice skating." less

Former advertising and marketing exec Stephan Gospodinoff, 84, has lived in Greenwich most of his life. "When I was a boy we had a lot of open space," he says. "We used to go hunting, fishing, trapping, and ... more

Photo: Anne W. Semmes

Growing up in Greenwich during "the greatest time"

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Q: How long have you lived in Greenwich?

A: I was born in Rye but have lived most of my life in Greenwich, first in Pemberwick, then on the private J.R. Sheldon estate on Field Point Road, then in Riverside and Cos Cob.

Q: How do you think Greenwich has changed over the years?

A: When I was a boy, we had a lot of open space. We used to go hunting, fishing, trapping, and swimming and ice skating in the Glenville area -- the John Lyons Farm, the Glenville Felt Company. We used to skate on various ponds where Greenwich Office Park is now. Greenwich has built up so much. Everything has become privatized. When we were kids we were free-willed to do what we wanted as long as it was proper.

Q: Are you married? How long?

A: For 61 years to Anne (who passed away recently).

Q: Do you have any children? Grandchildren?

More Information

Fact box

A: I have a son, Stephan Jr. He's the operations manager in the town's tree department and also the deputy tree warden, and a daughter, Jackie, who is a sales executive for a trade show. I have a grandson, Michael, and granddaughter, Heather, with a great grandson on the way.

Q: Are you retired?

A: Yes.

Q: What did you do when you worked full time?

A: I was director of advertising and marketing for Loews Hotels in New York City. They had hotels all over the world -- in Canada, Mexico, Paradise Island in the Bahamas, England, Monte Carlo. I went to them all -- but Ann didn't like to fly.

Q: What was the most important thing you learned in your work?

A: How to negotiate in financial and in marketing situations. And working with people is very important.

Q: What was a significant memory or defining moment in your childhood?

A: In our childhood we could go and come as we pleased. We were not structured in our daily lives as childhood should be. Today, they're going to organized sports and dance classes. They're not allowed to create their own games. Who plays hopscotch or marbles or jacks anymore? In my day you left your house in the morning and you were on your own -- fully independent at age 8 and 9 years old. I grew up in the greatest time.

Q: What are your main hobbies and interests?

A: Skeet shooting, trap shooting, rifle shooting competition, pistol shooting. They're a lot of fun. The idea is to keep the bullets in the target, the bull's-eye. I still do a lot of saltwater fishing. I had a boat and sold it years ago. I hunted small game: elk, black bear, antelope, caribou in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, into New Brunswick, Canada. You got to see real natural beauty with nobody walking on the trail.

A: I like all kinds of music. I don't like rap. My favorite is the Big Band Era. I also enjoy classical music. The operas and music written by Rossini -- his "William Tell Overture." I like Russian church music -- it has great baritones and tenors.

Q: If you could tell the president of the United States one thing, now, what would it be?

A: Stop foreign aid and use it for the American people who deserve it.

Q: What achievements in your life are you most proud of?

A: Raising a family, a good family. My kids are great. I couldn't ask for any better.

Q: If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for?

A: Peace on earth.

Q: What, if anything, are you deeply concerned about?

A: For the future of the U.S. From what I've seen going to different countries -- thanks to Hitler and Korea -- the world is sinking in its own mire. People don't try to understand or appreciate the different customs and languages and ethnic backgrounds of other countries, so they can't get along. If families can't get along, how can countries do it?

Q: Best piece of advice to give to the younger generation?

A: Study hard, stay in school, and follow the straight and narrow path, hopefully to success.

Q: What brings you your greatest joy?

A: Family get-togethers, Christmas, Easter, birthdays. Any reason to get the family together, which is becoming harder and harder as their addresses cover the U.S.

Q: What are you looking forward to?

A: I'm looking forward to a better world -- which doesn't seem to be happening.